Germany: PhD Student Positions in Molecular Modelling of Enzymes at a Water-Substrate Interface, University Stuttgart

Water-Substrate Interface, University Stuttgart, Cluster of Excellence in Simulation Technology, Germany

Universität Stuttgart with its 20,000 students and 7,000 employees is one of the leading European Research Universities with a main focus on engineering and natural sciences. Universität Stuttgart is committed to excellent basic and applied research and interdisciplinary academic education. The excellence initiative of the German state and federal governments has approved the funding of the Cluster of Excellence EXC 310 Simulation Technology (SimTech) at Universität Stuttgart (www.simtech.uni-stuttgart.de). In this context, the newly established Stuttgart Research Centre for Simulation Technology (SRC SimTech) is asking for applications for a

PhD student for the project Molecular Modelling of Enzymes at a Water-Substrate Interface

to pursue research in future-orientated research fields.

Lipases und PHA depolymerases are interesting enzymes for many biotechnological applications. While they are water soluble, they convert water-insoluble substrates by binding to the water-substrate interface. Our goal is to understand the molecular basis of the different substrate specificities of lipases and PHA depolymerases which convert triglycerides and polyesters, respectively. In this project, the molecular mechanism of binding will be studied by molecular dynamics simulations of large, realistic protein systems to understand the effect of the interface to structure and dynamics of the enzyme, and to design enzyme variants with improved biochemical properties in collaboration with our experimental project partners.

Candidates with a degree preferably in biology or chemistry and interested in an interdisciplinary and application oriented project at the interface between life science and engineering are invited to send their application to Prof. Dr. Jürgen Pleiss (Juergen.Pleiss[ at ]itb.uni-stuttgart.de), Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.

Postdoc and PhDs are expected to participate actively in the SimTech Teaching Programmes and Industry Transfer Concepts.

Applications with the usual documents (CV, degree certificates, references, publication list, letter of motivation) should be sent directly to the Professors/Junior Professors to arrive not later than April 30, 2009.

Universität Stuttgart wishes to increase the proportion of female academic staff and, for this reason, especially welcomes applications from women. Severely challenged persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications.

For further positions and information please see: www.simtech.uni-stuttgart.de

Closing date: April 30, 2009

USA: Postoctoral Fellow in Developmental Neurobiology, Yale University

Postoctoral Fellow in Developmental Neurobiology, Yale University, USA

Two Postdoctoral Postdoctoral Associate positions are available in the Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology at the Yale University School of Medicine.

The first position is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of neuronal regeneration and recovery in a mouse model of perinatal hypoxia, focusing on a cellular and molecular analysis of neural stem and progenitor cells and their transcriptome. Our approaches also involve genetic fate mapping and the use of inducible gene knockouts to study the role of growth factor signaling in astroglia and neural stem cells during the regeneration/recovery period.

The second position is to investigate the cellular and molecular aspects of developmental disorders, such as Tourette syndrome and autism spectrum disorders using human specimens. At a basic level, we will generate induced pluripotent cells for these disorders and study their genome and transcriptome as they differentiate into neurons in vitro. At the system level, we use postmortem human tissue to perform a systematic analysis of excitatory and inhibitory neuron subtypes in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortical regions using stereological techniques.

The newly-renovated lab is at the Child Study Center, in the main Medical School campus. The candidate will be involved in multidisciplinary research at the interface of human and mouse development, and will have the opportunity to develop mouse models related to human brain disorders.

Requirements
The candidates must have a Ph. D. or M.D. and will have expertise in one or more of the following areas, depending on which one of the two positions is selected: molecular genetics, developmental neurobiology, human and mouse stem cell techniques, or primate/human brain anatomy. Candidates with expertise in transgenic and BAC technologies and whole genome/transcriptome analyses are encouraged to apply.

The candidate must have an excellent command of written and spoken English language, and will be expected to work relatively independently and write papers and grant proposals. We seek individuals that will eventually mature to be independent principal investigators within the program.

Application
Interested candidates should send a CV, a statement of research interests and the names of two references to flora.vaccarino[ at ]yale.edu

Denmark: PhD Scholarship in International Communication and Culture, Copenhagen Business School

The Department of International Communication and Culture Studies (ICC) at the CBS invites applications for a vacant PhD scholarship within the following specific research themes:

• Language and language policy in the EU with a special view to culture and national identity
• The use of foreign languages in corporate communication
• Aspects of international business negotiations
• Business rhetoric – rhetorical aspects of modern corporate communication
• Politics and culture / Economics and culture in the Americas; a comparative transatlantic perspective would be welcome
• Power and power hierarchies – correlations between church, type of governance and organizational structure of corporations in two or three specific countries
• Innovative naming and product development with a special view to online ‘sense making’ in the daily purchase of consumer goods, specifically foods that use country of origin as a marketing element
• Sovereignty and division of power, at a national and supranational level in European states and in the EU, in a cultural-historical and legal perspective.

The research profile of ICC is as follows:
With the purpose of reducing the complexity of globalization for individuals, companies and organizations, ICC conducts interdisciplinary research into social, linguistic, and communicative problems as reflected in international collaboration. Based on business humanities and the social sciences, ICC applies these theories to problems related to economic, legal, social and cultural issues. ICC focuses on the synergy between research and teaching and produces reflective and independent candidates through a cross-disciplinary and practice related approach.

Please visit the department’s profile (www.cbs.dk/ikk)

In awarding the scholarship, the department will give priority to applicants who demonstrate general research competencies as well as knowledge relevant to the specific research theme proposed in the research application submitted. An educational background in the social sciences or humanities is necessary.

Closing date: 2nd June 2009 at 12.00 noon.

Further information can be obtained from Anette Villemoes, please phone +45 3815 3240, e-mail av.ikk[ at ]cbs.dk. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Department well in advance of the closing date in order to develop a project proposal.

General information:
To be awarded the scholarship, one must be enrolled as a PhD student. To be considered for enrolment, the candidate should have a basic training at the Masters level, and must be fluent in Danish and/or English. Enrolment in the PhD programme furthermore depends on the acceptance of the application, which must include a short project description, usually prepared in co-operation with the Department. This research proposal should contain a presentation of the intended research question, including the theory and methodology expected to be used.

In addition to the research proposal, the application must include a completed compulsory form, copies of a Master’s degree certificate or other certificates of a corresponding level, brief curriculum vitae (CV), a list of papers and publications, and one copy of a selected written work (e.g. Master’s thesis).

All parts of the application must be submitted in four copies, except the selected written work, which may be submitted in only one copy. Electronic submissions are not accepted.

A PhD scholarship runs for a period of 3 years, and includes teaching obligations equivalent of ½ year’s work (840 work hours).

The salary level and appointment is determined by the Ministry of Finance’s collective agreement with the Central Academic Organisation.

A committee of experts in the field in question will assess the applications. The assessment of the applicants will be based on the quality and relevance of the project, including an evaluation of the applicant’s ability to accomplish it. Following this assessment, the management of the department together with the doctoral school will select the winner of the scholarship.

Please find compulsory application form, guidelines, and further information on scholarships and the Doctoral Programme (www.cbs.dk/phd)

The application must be submitted to:

Copenhagen Business School
Institutadministrationen IADH
Att.: Vivi Rønne
Dalgas Have 15
DK-2000 Frederiksberg
Denmark

Marked “PhD – 33-3522”

Applications received by e-mail or discs will not be taken into consideration.

All interested researchers irrespective of age, sex, race, religion, or nationality are invited to apply for the position.

CBS focuses on innovation, partnership with the business community and internationalisation. As a Learning University CBS demands high quality in teaching, research and staff. CBS has around 15.000 students distributed among a wide range of degrees in social science and humanities including a very dynamic environment for executive programmes. CBS has around 400 full-time researchers and around 500 administrative employees.

CLOSING DATE: 2009-06-02

For further scholarship information and application, please visit this page.

Denmark: PhD Scholarships in Advanced Synthetic Aperture Ultrasound Imaging, Technical University of Denmark

PhD Scholarships in Advanced Synthetic Aperture Ultrasound Imaging

Three 3-year PhD scholarships are available at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark from May 2009.

The projects are sponsored by the Advanced Technology Foundation project: “Implementation of synthetic aperture ultrasound methods” made in collaboration between the Center for Fast Ultrasound Imaging at DTU, the ultrasound manufacturer BK Medical and Rigshospitalet. The project seeks to develop methods for synthetic aperture (SA) ultrasound imaging and its commercial implementation. SA imaging is a radical departure from conventional ultrasound and can give many advantages in terms of better contrast, resolution, and frame rate. CFU has been a pioneer in developing SA imaging and has been the first to demonstrate blood velocity imaging using the SA concept. This has been done using the experimental scanner RASMUS. A new scanner SARUS has now been developed and forms the basis for this project. The new scanner can acquire data in 1024 channels and is the first scanner which makes it possible to acquire real time three-dimensional SA data.

The three projects are:

Two stage beamforming for flow estimation
An efficient method for implementing SA anatomic imaging is to use a two stage beamformer consisting of a simple first stage beamformer and a more complicated second stage dynamic beamformer. This approach should be expanded to be useful for SA blood velocity estimation. Existing techniques for vector velocity estimation should be further refined and implemented on the SARUS scanner for flow rig and in-vivo studies.

SA compound imaging
The project seeks to suppress the speckle artifacts in ultrasound images by combining images acquired from different directions. This is possible using SA images and the project includes developing methods for data acquisition, processing, combination, and presentation. The techniques will be implemented on the SARUS scanner for phantom studies and pre-clinical trials in collaboration with Rigshospitalet. The final result should be a real time implementation.

3D vector velocity imaging
The project seeks to develop methods for estimating the velocity of flowing blood in all directions using two-dimensional ultrasound transducers and the experimental ultrasound scanner SARUS. One or more of the four two-dimensional vector velocity methods developed at CFU should be extended to three dimensions and implemented on the SARUS scanner for validation and pre-clinical trials. Presentation of the seven-dimensional data sets is also part of the project.

All three projects can start either in May or June 2009. You should indicate which projects you are interested in. You should have a background in signal and image processing. Knowledge of medical imaging and acoustics will also be beneficial.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a master’s degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master’s degree in engineering.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programs of DTU For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.

Further information
Further information is available at www.elektro.dtu.dk and www.elektro.dtu.dk/Centre/cfu/English.aspx/ or from Professor Jørgen Arendt Jensen, e-mail: jaj[ at ]elektro.dtu.dk

Application
We should have your online application by 6 May 2009. Apply online at www.dtu.dk/vacancy. Please open the link “apply for this job online” and fill in the application form and attach your application and CV. The application must include curriculum vitae and documentation of a completed master’s diploma including grades

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Estonia: PhD Scholarships in Data Mining and Software Engineering, Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu

The Institute of Computer Science at University of Tartu is inviting applications for multiple PhD positions to undertake research in the context of industry-university collaborative projects. Successful applicants will conduct research in the fields of data mining and software engineering, specifically in one the following topic areas:

- Social Network Analysis: Developing and evaluating techniques for efficient analysis of very large and rapidly evolving social networks in order to discover patterns of individual or collective user behaviour

- Adaptive User Interfaces: Applying data mining and machine learning techniques in order to discover user intentions at runtime and to adapt the delivery of online content accordingly

- Service Monitoring: Monitoring networks of software services on a continuous basis in order to identify anomalies, misuses and re-design opportunities.

- Software Development Monitoring: Applying data mining and machine learning techniques in order to analyse networks of software developers and code contributions in software development projects.

Successful candidates will evolve in either the Software Engineering Group or the Bioinformatics and Data Mining Group at University of Tartu’s Institute of Computer Science. The Institute participates in the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Computer Science which provides an environment for the development of PhD students and young researchers.

The scholarships are for a period of four years, at a rate of EUR 800 per month (after taxes). In addition, travel expenses will be reimbursed to successful applicants relocating from abroad. The scholarship package will also provide funds to participate in conferences, workshops, and/or summer schools during the PhD studies.

The successful applicants will have:

- A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering or a related field, awarded no later than June 2009.
- Strong software development skills
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English
- Preferably: demonstrated knowledge and skills in at least one of the above topic areas

Please send a curriculum vitae, a statement of interest in one of the proposed research topics and a copy of academic transcripts, to Prof. Marlon Dumas (marlon.dumas[ at ]ut.ee).

Applications will be accepted until 15 May 2009. Successful applicants are expected to start in September 2009.

For further information, see:
http://sep.cs.ut.ee/index.php?n=Main.PhDPositions

USA; POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE

POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE
Center for Perceptual Systems, University of Texas at Austin

The laboratory of Eyal Seidemann at the Center for Perceptual Systems in the University of Texas at Austin is seeking applications for an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship. Our laboratory studies mechanisms of population coding in the visual cortex using a powerful combination of optical imaging with voltage-sensitive dyes and electrophysiology. Neurophysiological and psychophysical experiments are combined with computational and modeling techniques. The successful applicant would have an opportunity to work closely with our collaborators, Bill
Geisler, Randolph Blake and David Heeger. The Center for Perceptual Systems (www.cps.utexas.edu) and the Institute for Neuroscience at UT Austin (www.neuroscience.utexas.edu) offer excellent facilities, an outstanding interdisciplinary scientific environment and a very collegial atmosphere. Austin is an affordable city and is widely
considered one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the US.

Computational background, programming experience (C/C++/Matlab), and experience with neurophysiology or psychophysics are desirable. Please send CV, statement of research interests and the names of three references to Eyal Seidemann (eyal [ à ] mail.cps.utexas.edu).

UK; PhD Studentship in Bionanotechnology

PhD Studentship in Bionanotechnology:
Man-made Transmembrane Molecular Transporters Built from Biological Components.

Due to funding restrictions this PhD studentship is only open to UK nationals, or EU nationals currently resident within the UK. The position is available to start any time before October 2009. This is a tax-free stipend covering tuition fees and living expenses at the standard EPSRCrate (commencing at ~£13,000 per year).

Project:
Interfacing biological components in non-natural ways provides opportunities for the creation of molecular devices with applications in bionanotechnology. We have developed a supramolecular device for resolving sub-nanometre displacements of a single DNA molecule threaded through a transmembrane pore protein. This approach has allowed the extension of a single DNA molecule by DNA polymerase to be resolved with single-base resolution for the first time.1 (research highlighted in ‘Nature’, ‘Nature Biotechnology’ and ‘ACS Chemical Biology’).

Whilst transmembrane molecular transporters have essential roles in biology, such a device has never been constructed by man. This PhD studentship seeks to build upon our established approach and will result in the construction of the first-ever man-made transmembrane molecular transportation devices built from DNA and protein components. The interdisciplinary nature of this project will provide training in a broad range of methods spanning the fields of chemistry, molecular biology and biophysics:
• single-molecule detection using patch-clamp electrophysiology
• theoretical background in single-molecule biophysical techniques
• handling biomolecules (proteins/DNA)

Applications:
Applications must be recieved before 30th April ‘09 (or as soon after this date as possible).
Applicants should possess a steady hand and express a keen interest in molecular machines. Previous research experience in molecular biology is desirable, but not essential. Due to funding restrictions, applicants MUSTbe UK nationals, or EU nationals currently resident within the UK. Applicants should be in possession of (or expecting to obtain) a first class or upper-second class degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry or other cognate discipline before the 1st Oct ‘09. To apply, email a copy of your CV to scott.cockroft@ed.ac.uk. Please include a brief description of previous research experience, and the contact details of two referees.

Further information:http://www.chem.ed.ac.uk/staff/academic/cockroft.html

1. “A Single-Molecule Nanopore Device Detects DNA Polymerase Activity with Single-Nucleotide Resolution” S. L. Cockroft, J. Chu, M. Amorin, M. R. Ghadiri. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 818–820.http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja077082c

Featured in Nature: “Supramolecular Chemistry: Embrace the Base”http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7178/full/451502a.html

Nature Nanotechnology: “Nanopores: Detecting DNA”http://npg.nature.com/nnano/reshigh/2008/0108/full/nnano.2008.23.html

ACS Chemical Biology: “Sensing Single Base Incorporation with Nanopore Micromanipulation” http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb8000205

Informal enquiries should be directed to scott.cockroft@ed.ac.uk Tel: 0131 650 4758

USA; Postdoctoral Fellow - Liver Diseases

A postdoctoral position is available, effective immediately, in the Section of Digestive Diseases at Yale University School of Medicine. Projects include studies of the mechanisms of vascular abnormalities observed in the late stage of liver diseases.

This position is supported by an NIH training grant, and the applicant must be either U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Preference will be given to a highly motivated individual with a background in basic biochemistry, molecular biology and/or vascular biology, and who is at the early stage of postdoctoral training.

Application

For further information and to apply, send a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and the names and contacts of 3 references to:yasuko.iwakiri@yale.edu

[UK] Houtan Foundation PhD Scholarship for the Anthropology of Iran

The University of St Andrews is offering one PhD fees-waiver scholarship in the Anthropology of Iran (Social Anthropology). Applicants should be engaged in research in either the humanities or social sciences, on a topic of relevance to contemporary Iran. Any successful candidate would be expected to conduct fieldwork appropriate to an anthropological doctoral program and to work closely with one of the senior members of the Department. Applications are welcome from any part of the world, but the scholarship will only cover the cost of home [UK] fees.

To apply or request further particulars, please contact the office for the Department of Social Anthropology, North Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL [Ph: 01334 462977 / ls40@st-andrews.ac.uk].

To request further information on the work of the Department of Social Anthropology and to discuss proposed doctoral projects, please contact the Post graduate Convener: Dr Mark Harris mh2@st-andrews.ac.uk

To request further information on the Houtan Foundation Ph.D. Scholarship and to discuss proposed doctoral topics, please contact: Dr. P. Khosronejad: pedram.khosronejad@st-andrews.ac.uk

Information on the activities of the Department of Social Anthropology can be found at:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/anthropology

Information on the activities of the School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies can be found here.

Also, for further information on the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews can be found here

Closing date for applications: 30 April 2009.

Australia : Call for Outstanding Scientists- VESKI Innovation Fellowships

Call for Outstanding Scientists

to undertake Research in Melbourne... 

  Applications are NOW OPEN for 

VESKI Innovation Fellowships 2009/10

 Applications for VESKI Innovation Fellowships for take up in financial year 2009/10 are NOW OPEN with submissionsclosing at 5pm on Friday, 22^nd May 2009.

The VESKI Innovation Fellowships are open to individuals in the fields of science, technology and design specifically relating to innovative technology, biotechnology, design, advanced manufacturing, environmental technologies, or the enabling sciences and technologies.

In addition to the above named fields; the 2009/10 Call for Applications encourages submissions in the areas of: 

     Clinical Research focusing on Health Outcomes;
     Renewable Energy Generation & Demand Management.

The VESKI Innovation Fellowships (Australian) are awarded annually to outstanding Australian expatriates in the fields of science, technology or design.

The VESKI Innovation Fellowships (non-Australian) are awarded annually to outstanding researchers who are not Australian citizens, but who may wish to undertake research in Victoria.

Successful individuals can receive up to AUD$50,000 per annum for a maximum of up to five years. These funds must be matched with financial funding and in-kind contributions from a host organisation such as an academic/research institution.

VESKI Innovation Fellowships are provided to support the return of the successful applicant to Victoria to undertake their specified research project. The funds made available and the duration of the proposed fellowship are determined by the VESKI Board.

Please follow the links below to Download an Application Form and review the VESKI Innovation Fellowships Selection Criteria:

If you are an Outstanding Australian Expatriate Researcher, please click HERE.

If you are an Outstanding Non-Australian Researcher, please click HERE.

Please feel free to pass this information on to any relevant or interested parties